This Week in Potomac

Col. J. Thomas Manger, Fairfax County's Police Chief, has been named chief of Montgomery County Police.

“I am extremely pleased to bring Tom Manger back to Montgomery County, where he grew up,” County Executive Doug Duncan (D) said in a news release.

Manger worked closely with Montgomery County law enforcement officials as a member of the Sniper Investigation Task Force in October, 2002. He fills the vacancy left by Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose, who resigned in July 2003 over controversy involving a book Moose wrote about the sniper investigation.

William C. O'Toole served as Montgomery County acting police chief during Montgomery County's six-month search to replace Moose.

Manger’s resignation in Fairfax County is effective Jan. 30.

In November, Manger asked that his application with Montgomery County be withdrawn from consideration, according to his resignation letter delivered to the Fairfax Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. Montgomery County contacted him two weeks ago to speak to him again, Manger said.

Manger, a resident of Vienna, Va., graduated from the University of Maryland in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

He started as a patrol officer with the Fairfax County Police Department 27 years ago. He was promoted to the rank of deputy chief in 1995 and became the acting police chief in July of 1998. He was appointed chief in January 1999.

Manger has received numerous awards during his career, including the Silver Medal of Valor in 1993.

Protecting Civil Liberties

The Maryland Arab-American Committee will hold a forum at the Potomac Community Center to discuss issues regarding Civil Liberties and the Patriot Act.

U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-8), County Councilmember Tom Perez (D-5) and Del. Susan Lee (D-16) are scheduled to attend. Issues such as the Patriot Act, the state assembly, and the County Council will be discussed.

The Community Center is located at 11315 Falls Road in Potomac. The program is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. For more information, e-mail maac@maac.us.

Officers Elected

The Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department announced the new officers elected on Dec. 8, 2003. Officers’ Terms extend from Jan. 1, 2004 to Dec. 31, 2005.

Jim Seavey was elected to a 7th term as chief. Other officers are Michael Harting, president; David Cohen, vice-president; Christina Mage, secretary and Eugene Roesser, treasurer.

Armed Robbery

On Dec. 23 at 1:15 a.m., an employee for the Limited Too at Montgomery Mall was robbed of the store’s bank deposit bag.

The victim was attempting to make the night deposit inside the mall when the suspect approached him, displayed a handgun and demanded money.

After obtaining an undisclosed amount, the suspect fled out of the mall. The suspect was described as a Hispanic Male 18-25, 5-feet-4 inches to 5-feet-6 inches tall, 120-130 pounds, with short, dark hair wearing dark clothing.

Residential Burglaries

* Between 5 and 11:24 p.m. on Dec. 22, suspects attempted to break into a house on the 7900 block of Ivy Mount Terrace. The rear door was pried.

* Between 5:30 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 14, a house on the 12000 block of Wetherfield Lane was broken into. the front door was unlocked and clothes and kitchen items were taken.

* Between 1 p.m. on Dec. 23 and 1:44 p.m. on Dec. 24, a house on the 10100 block of Burton’s Glen Road was broken into. Suspects broke through a door. It is unknown what was taken.

* Between 12:01 and 1:14 a.m. on Dec. 26, a house on the 10800 block of Swain’s Lock Road was broken into. Suspects took scuba gear, electronic equipment and liquor.

Commercial Burglary

Between 1 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 8:15 a.m. on Dec. 29, Aggregate Industries Management at 13900 Piney Meetinghouse Road was broken into. Suspects pried open a window and took computer equipment.

Potomac Teen Closes

Potomac Teen, a boutique-style shop specializing in upscale clothing and accessories for girls 12 and up will be closing its doors on Jan. 17. Citing the high cost of running a full-service retail as prohibitive compared to the amount of sales such stores are able to capture.

The store, located in the Potomac Woods Shopping Center at 1089 Seven Locks Road, opened in June of 2002. It is currently having a going-out-of-business sale, all merchandise and store fixtures are being offered for sale.

Teacher of the Year

One Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) teacher will be selected to represent the county in the competition for the 2003-2004 Maryland Teacher of the Year. Nominations for the county Teacher of the Year will be accepted until February 17, 2004.

Candidates must be classroom, resource, or media teachers who spend the majority of their time teaching and must have completed a minimum of five years of teaching.

Teachers may self-nominate or be nominated by someone else — students, colleagues, principals, supervisors, or parents.

The winner will be announced at the "Champions for Children" Awards Gala on Wednesday, May 5, at the Bethesda Marriott.

The county Teacher of the Year will be automatically entered into the

Maryland Teacher of the Year competition. The Maryland Teacher of the Year represents teachers on committees and advisory boards and is invited to speak throughout the year at a variety of conferences and conventions.

For nomination brochures and applications, available after December 15, contact Alan Rosenthal or Ginger Corpuz at 301-279-3270.

Completed nominations must be submitted no later than February 17, 2004, either by internal mail to the Office of Human Resources, Suite 401, or by U.S. mail to 7631 Calhoun Place, #401, Rockville MD 20855.